Paldiski

Paldiski was founded as a fishing village by Estonian Swedes with the name Rågervik.

Peter the Great chose the location in 1715 for a naval base, and construction started in 1716. It was meant to be a sea fortress and in 1790, during the Russo-Swedish War, it was conquered by the Swedes through trickery, when a Swedish warship sailing under a Dutch flag was allowed to dock.[2] On 23 June 1912 the Russian emperor Nikolai II and German kaiser Wilhelm II met for the last time before World War I in Paldiski.[3]

Since the 18th century, Leetse manor existed there. In the 1910s the manor ceased to exist and was formed the populated place called Leetse (Estonian: Leetse asundus).[4]

Paldiski came under Soviet rule due to the "Soviet–Estonian Mutual Assistance Treaty" of 1939. From that year Paldiski became gradually closed city for average Estonian residents until 1990.[5] In 1962, Paldiski became a Soviet Navy nuclear submarine training centre. Employing some 16,000 people, and with two land-based nuclear reactors (at 70 MW and 90 MW power, respectively), it was the largest such facility in the Soviet Union. Because of its importance, the whole city was closed off with barbed wire until the last Russian warship left in August 1994, when the city ceased to be a closed city.

This followed the events of 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed and Estonia regained independence. To house the stationing troops and those in training, many barracks buildings were built, which have since been left in disrepair. Russia relinquished control of reactor facilities in September 1995; the nuclear reactors were shut down, and nuclear material was transported back to Russia. The reactors were thereafter decommissioned.

Incidents, when Paldiski was a closed military town under Soviet/Russian jurisdiction, did happen rarely and if something happened, it was classified. At the time Jüri Liim, member of Supreme Council, had an undercover and secret access to the closed city. As per his testimony, Pakri islands just next to the Paldiski were the practice bombing targets for Soviet air force, including the soviet nuclear bombers. There was no actual nuclear bombs used but bombs that were in similar weight and size category. Sometimes when the real combat bombs were used, the small earth quakes created from it could be felt in Paldiski and at the nuclear reactors.

The personnel working at the site were concerned about potential cracks or other issues with the reactor due to this shaking. When approaching the Pakri or leaving from the target, the flight routes were often over Paldiski and this led to few incidents. Once an actual battle bomb fell by accident to the local kindergartens cabbage field. Fortunately bomb did malfunction and caused no damage. Another case was when a battle bomb fell by accident 15 meters from the working nuclear reactors. Bomb malfunctioned and did not explode.[6]

After Estonia restored its independence, the city had not enough Estonian citizens, and Paldiski was then subordinated to Keila until 30 October 1996. Located some 45 km west of Tallinn, Paldiski was then made a municipality within Harju County. Derelict Soviet-style apartment buildings made up much of the town, and the relics of military bases were widespread. The majority of the town's residents are ethnic Russians. The ferry company Tallink operated a regular connection with Kapellskär in Sweden; the line is currently served by another operator.

Operation «Ämblik» (Spider) was conducted in Paldiski on 16 March 1993 by 33 Estonian police officers and 40 border guards to establish Estonian law in the area, including in the Russian military base. At the time in Paldiski, there was about 1,500 members of the Russian armed forces. The aim of the police operation was to contain the illegal activities weapons trade and contain the activities of the thugs in Paldiski, who behaved like they run the town. For example on 9 March 1993, several Russian armed forces officers were detained by Estonian authorities in Tallinn due to an attempt to sell firearms. This operation was not agreed with the Russian government beforehand but preparations were kept in secrecy. Confusion in Paldiski among Russian military personnel helped to achieve the goals of the operation.[7][8]

Paldiski railway station in 2011.

Town government building.

Until recently, the amenities were limited to a single, small hotel (Valge Laev, with six guest bedrooms and a restaurant/bar). Now there are also two grocery stores, an alcohol store, a bank, a tavern, and a bed & breakfast. The renovated train station also has a small cafe with hot food.

The housing blocks in the town no longer appear dilapidated and abandoned and have been refitted and re-painted in recent years . There are also several new apartment buildings, and the green areas along with children's parks have been restored.

The Scouts Single Infantry Battalion, Kalevi Infantry Battalion and the Combat Service Support Battalion of Estonia, which belong to the 1st Infantry Brigade (Estonia) of the Estonian Defence Forces are stationed in Paldsiki.

The Pakri Science and Industrial Park with its 60 hectare Pakri Smart Industrial City lies within the limits of the city.[9]

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  In this photo Paldiski can be seen located on the Pakri Peninsula
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  Street in Paldiski
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  The Lighthouse
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  St Sergius Orthodox Church
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  St. Nicholas Lutheran Church
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  Previously, the custom of Peter the Great (now café)
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  Rocky shore near the town
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  Tuule Street
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  Northern Port